Decides not to allow retail fish sale after 10 am
MARGAO: In a latest development, the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) on Wednesday decided to allow ramponkars’ vehicles laden with fish inside the wholesale market. However, the planning authority decided not to allow retail fish sale after 10 am.
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The meeting, which was chaired by Krishna alias Daji Salkar, MLA and SGPDA chairman, was attended by MLAs Digambar Kamat, Vijai Sardesai and Venzy Viegas and other officials concerned.
It may be recalled that on the directions of the High Court, SGPDA along with Margao Municipal Council has initiated strict action against the retail fish sale after 10 am in the wholesale fish market. But, the traditional fishermen were badly affected resulting in no place for them to sell their catch.
After a lengthy deliberation, the SGPDA finally resolved to allow the vehicles of the traditional fisherman inside the wholesale fish market throughout the day, but retail fish sale will be stopped.
“The action initiated in these last days was upon the directions of the High Court. However, taking into consideration the plea of the traditional fishermen, who in large numbers, it has been resolved to allow their fish carrying vehicles inside the market throughout the day,” stated Krishna alias Daji Salkar.
He also informed that no retail fish sale will be allowed after 10 am and the same will be strictly monitored.
Salkar said that upon the directions of the High Court, the SGPDA along with MMC has also initiated drives to clean the market.
“Hygiene will be maintained at the wholesale fish market. CCTV cameras will be installed to keep a watch on the nuisance makers,” he added.
MLA Digambar Kamat stated that after approval of the minutes, pertaining to the resolution passed on allowing vehicles of the traditional fishermen laden with fish, it will be sent to the lawyer and will be submitted in the court if required.
“Outside fish traders will not be allowed to enter the market after 10 am. One compartment will be reserved for the traditional fishermen at the under construction wholesale fish market.
We cannot allow the retail fish sale after the given time,” he stated.
MLAs Sardesai and Viegas too supported the proposal to allow vehicles of the traditional fishermen laden with fish inside the market throughout the day and stated that they need to protect the interest of the locals.
Traditional fishermen want wholesale fish market to be kept open throughout the day
MARGAO: Claiming that traditional fishermen, including ramponkars are not to be held responsible for the nuisance created at the wholesale fish market, a group of fisherfolk has convened a meeting on October 12 at Benaulim to unite and fight for the cause.
Speaking to reporters, traditional fishermen demanded that the wholesale fish market be kept open throughout the day as they have no fixed time for fish catch.
Jose Fernandes, a traditional fisherman said that they want a permanent solution and priority should be given to traditional fishermen at the wholesale fish market and not outsiders.
“Initially, we used to carry out fish sale in Margao town, but we were shifted to Fatorda. Unfortunately, now too we, traditional fishermen are facing a tough time to carry out the fish sale,” he said.
Fernandes said that all are discussing the reservation but why is the Kharvi community deprived of carrying out their traditional business?
“What is the use of the wholesale fish market when the traditional fishermen are not allowed to carry out business? Cleaning the mess and keeping the market in proper condition is the responsibility of the authority concerned. Traditional fishermen are only selling fresh fish and not engaged in using thermocol,” he justified.
Pele Fernandes demanded the traditional fisherman be granted relaxation to sell their fish at the wholesale fish market throughout the day.
Meanwhile, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas accused the authorities of failing to find a solution and for creating a mess at the wholesale fish market.
He appealed to all the unions of the traditional fishermen to come together and fight for the cause.
“We want to keep the wholesale fish market clean and open to the traditional fishermen.
The State government needs to protect the interests of the traditional fishermen and not force us to intervene,” he added.
Vendors stop wholesale fish sale by ramponkars outside retail market
MARGAO: Fish vendors from South Goa Planning and Development Authority-owned retail market on Wednesday opposed the wholesale sale by ramponkars outside the market and stopped the activity immediately.
The retail fish vendors accused the SGPDA of failing to carry out proper maintenance of the retail fish market causing more troubles by allowing the sale of fish by ramponkars. It is pertinent to note that for the past several days the issue of fish sale is in the news and the SGPDA has failed to come out with he solution, despite the High Court issuing directions with regards to the wholesale fish market.
On Wednesday, the ramponkars engaged in the sale of fish outside the wholesale fish market moved to the retail market and were noticed selling fish outside the retail market at retail price.
These fish vendors claimed that the SGPDA officials had instructed ramponkars to move to the retail market.
Frustrated with the move, the retail fish market fish vendors strongly opposed and stopped the fish sale carried out by the ramponkars from the coastal belt.
Felix Gonsalves, President of the Retail Fish Vendors’ Association accused the SGPDA of allowing all those fish vendors who were earlier at the wholesale fish market to sit outside the retail market.
“How will we earn our livelihood by sitting inside the retail market when others are allowed to sell fish outside the market? Others are allowed outside the retail market, when there are several fish vendors inside the market and we are struggling to earn our daily bread,” he claimed. Another fish vendor from the retail fish market alleged that the SGPDA has failed to maintain the retail fish market.
“Earlier too, we had opposed the fish sale at retail price at the wholesale market. We are not blaming the ramponkars, but it is the mess created by the SGPDA. This is nothing but to create fights among the fish vendors,” she alleged.
